Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



2 Sheets--Sheet1 J. P. TAYLOR. Breech-Loading Fire-Arms.

Patented May6,1873.

Witnesses mm 2Sheets--Sheet2.

. .l. P. TAYLOR.

- Breech-Loading Fire-Arms. N0. 138,7 1]. Patented May 6,1873.

NITED STATES JAMES PATTON TAYLOR, OF ELIZABETHTON, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADlNG FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,711 dated May 6, 1873; application filed October 29, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES PATTON TAY- LOB, of Elizabethton, in the county of Carter and State of Tennessee, have invented a certain Improved Breech-Loading Rifle, of which the following is a specification:

Nature and Objects of the Iowentt'0n.

This invention relates primarily to breechloading rifles, employing laterally-swinging breech-blocks; but certain parts of the invention are applicable to other breech-loading fire-arms. The objects of the invention are superior simplicity and safety and freedom from liability to foul, or to fire before the breech is closed and the locking thereof completed. The first part of the invention con sists in the combination, with a laterallyswinging breech-block, of an axial bolt or breech-plug, sliding longitudinally into and out of the breech, and locked within the same by a partial rotary motion. The second part of the invention consists in a movable faceplate for the breech-block, containing an oritice, which receives the beak of the hammer when in proper position, and receiving motion from the breech-bolt through a non-circular firingpin so as to preclude access to the firingpin while the bolt is unlocked. The third part of the invention consists in a cartridgeextractor of peculiar construction, operated by the breech-bolt in connection with a trippin g-incline and a retracting-spring.

Description of the Drawing.

Figure l is a side elevation of a breechloading rifle illustrating this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line a, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a tranverse section on the line a Fig. 3, looking backward. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line a Fig. 3, looking forward. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the breechblock. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the breech-bolt with the firing-pin therein. Fig. 9 is a horizontal longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridgeextractor.

The closed and locked position of the breechblock and bolt is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3,

and by full lines in Figs. 2 and 4; and the open I position of the same is illustrated by dotted lines in the latter figures.

General Description.

waist-block, E, which also receives and sup- 5 ports a laterallyswinging breech-block, F, and a cartridge extractor, G. These with their appurtenances complete the structure. The waistblock E comprises arecess, y, and longitudinal socket a; to receive the breechblock F and its pivot w, a shouldered cavity, 42, to receive the cartridge-extractor G and its spring a, and a circular breech-cavity, 2., coincident with the rear end of the barrel. The breech-block F is arrested by projections 2 on the bottom thereof, engaging with stop-notches 3 in the recess 3 and is constructed with a cylindrical cavity or bore, 8, in line with the barrel A, and breech-cavity, t, and of similar size with the latter, to receive a breech-bolt or plug H. This bolt is retained by a screw, 1', entering an L-formed stop-groove, 4, and is furnished with a handle, g, by which it receives certain longitudinal and partial rotary motion. A slot, 1), in the breech-block receives the handle q when the bolt is retracted. In its rotary motions the handle works in a space, 0, at the front end of the breech-block. In these movements lugs n n are carried behind shoulders m formed by bayonet-grooves within the breech-cavity and lands at in the face of the breech-block. When the bolt is retracted these lugs enter longitudinal grooves Zwithin the breech-block. A face plate, I, containing an aperture, is, to receive the beak of the hammer is swiveled to the rear end of the breech-block by means of a flange, j, with- I fires the cartridge.

I former and imparts them to the latteig which is so moved in this manner as to displace the hammer aperture it whenever the breech -bolt is not perfectly locked. An enlargement, f, with parallel sides, occupying a corresponding cavity, e, of greater length in the breech-bolt, and a stop-nut, (1, closing the rear end of this cavity, serves to attach the firing-pin to the breech-bolt, and to allow it the requsite limited movement independently of the latter. The front end h of the firing-pin is extended vertically, corresponding with the enlargement f so as to receive the sockets 5 6 for a shiftable firing-point, c, for use with either center-fire or rim-fire cartridges, as may be preferred. The cartridge extractor G is furnished at its front end with a spring-catch, b, having an upwardly-presented face so as to engage with the lugs a on the breech-bolt, by which the extractor is thus withdrawn. An extension, 22 of the cartridge-extractor cavity 2: into the breech-block F receives the extractor during this movement, and is formed with an inclined top, 7, constituting a cam, by which the catch is detached from the breechbolt when the extractor is retracted by its spring a.

Operation.

The gun is represented in Figs. 1 to 4 as loaded and at half-cock. The firing operation is not peculiar. The hammer strikes the firing-pin J through the orifice 7c, and thus After firing, the handle q of the breech-bolt H is struck up to coincidence with the slot 1), which action releases the bolt, and brings one of the lugs 42 thereon into mesh with the catch 1) of the cartridgeextractor G. The handle q is then drawn back until the breech-block is released by the withdrawal of the bolt H from the breechcavity,.t, and the retraction of the cartridgeextractor G by its spring, u, the shell having been released, when the breech-block is withdrawn by a lateral movement. A new cartridge is then readily introduced, and the hammer is put at half-cock. The breech-block is then thrown back into vertical position, and the breech-bolt is projected into the breechcavity behind the cartridge, and locked by partially rotating it, which movement also re turns the face-plate I to its position in which the hammer has access to the firing-pin. The piece is now ready for firing. The movements of the breech-bolt are properly limited by the L-groove 4. The piece is adapted for use with center-fire or rim-fire cartridges, as may be preferred, by shifting the firing-point c. The breech-bolt is released by loosening the screw 1', and the firing-pin may then be separated by removing the nut d. The parts may thus be detached or put together with the utmost facility. In replacing the breech-bolt and firing-pin within the breech-block, it is important to properly arrange the face-plate, but

this may be insured by the shape of the fir-- ing-pin.

Claims.

The following is claimed as new:

1. The combination of a laterally-swinging breech -block, F, and an axial breech-bolt or plug, H, sliding within the breech-block to close the breechcavity 25 and to furnish the rear abutment for the charge, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The swiveled face -plate I containing the hammer-aperture k, in combination with the breech-block F and breech-bolt H and a firing-pin, J, arranged within the same, communicating the rotary motion of the breech-bolt to the face-plate and thereby shifting the hammer-aperture, so as to prevent accidenta firing before the bolt is locked.

3. The cartridge-extractor G, furnished with the retracting-spring at and spring-latch b, in combination with the breech -bl0ck F and breech-bolt H constructed with the trippingincline 7 and lugs n, respectively, substantially as herein specified, said extractor being withdrawn by the breech-bolt and returned to its seat automatically.

JAMES P. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

WM. P. HoLsKE, ENOCH 'ARMITAGE. 

